Insights from the POWER-E-COM Presentation with Tomaz Robic
In this enlightening presentation from the POWER-E-COM project—co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union—Tomaz Robic from the Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP) delves into the current state of renewable energy communities (RECs) in Slovenia. While Europe continues to advance rapidly, Slovenia faces significant challenges, yet inspiring success stories are emerging.
Key Topics Explored in the Video:
Legislative and Regulatory Hurdles
Slovenia’s renewable energy landscape currently resembles that of 2017. Despite the potential, only one or two joint PV installations exist, with few municipal-driven RECs. The main obstacles include:
- Incomplete Legislation: Uncertainties around ownership, profit sharing, and taxation.
- Net Metering Transition: The end of the net metering period at the end of this year creates uncertainty for new projects.
Grid Limitations and Financing Issues
- High Rejection Rates: Over 50% of solar installation applications are being rejected by distribution companies.
- Evolving Subsidies: The shift from eco-fund subsidies to support from the electricity market operator adds complexity.
- Consortium Requirements: Recent funding proposals demand municipalities to form consortia, targeting a minimum of 1MW solar capacity. For example, in Maribor, over 300kW of solar capacity is being installed.
The Crucial Role of Municipalities
Municipalities in Slovenia play vital roles in the development of RECs by:
- Strategic Planning: Developing local energy concepts and prioritizing renewable projects.
- Facilitation: Acting as bridges among stakeholders such as residents, businesses, and technical experts.
- Resource Provision: Offering public land or rooftops for installations, reducing costs and simplifying processes.
- Policy Enforcement: Implementing national renewable energy policies at the local level.
- Funding & Education: Providing seed funding, attracting investments, and motivating community participation.
Growing Self-Sufficiency
Slovenia is experiencing a surge in individual self-sufficiency:
- PV Installations: Over 51,000 photovoltaic systems are installed on household roofs, representing 6% of all households. The target is to reach 70,000 installations by year-end.
- Solar Capacity Expansion: Slovenia currently has 1.5GW of installed solar capacity, aiming for 3.5GW according to its National Energy and Climate Plan.
Inspiring Community Projects
Slovenia showcases promising REC projects:
- Apartment Building Initiative (Maribor): A 37kW PV system serves 23 apartments, saving €4,500 annually with an eight-year payback period.
- Public Building Project (Budanje): A 56kW PV plant on a primary school roof supplies electricity to seven homes, saving around €100 per household annually.
- First Solar Energy Cooperative in Koper: A 190kW PV installation on a community hall and school produces 200MWh annually, with competitive electricity costs and savings of €125,000 for the school over 25 years.
- Energy Cooperative “Zeleni Hrastnik”: This mixed-financing model combines contributions from members (€150 per kW), grants, and bank loans, ensuring long-term energy benefits.
- Ljubljana’s Public-Private Partnership: Involves 51 solar plants on public buildings, totaling 5MW and producing 5,200MWh annually. The €5 million investment is expected to yield substantial long-term savings.
- Pilot Business Zone Energy Community: Connecting over 200 businesses, this initiative aims to optimize weekend surplus energy by transferring it to nearby hospitals.
Conclusion & Future Outlook
Slovenia’s renewable energy journey may face legislative and operational challenges, but community-driven initiatives show great promise. Municipal leadership, community engagement, and regulatory reforms will be key drivers in scaling these successes.
Watch the Full Video:
Renewable Energy Communities in Slovenia: Challenges & Success Stories
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